Laser marking
AssigneeRenishaw PLC
InventorsAlexander D. S. ELLIN, James Reynolds HENSHAW
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing precision marks for a metrological scale in the form of a stainless steel ribbon. A laser is used to produce ultra-short pulses which have a fluence at the ribbon such that ablation takes place. The laser light can be scanned via scanner and the pitch of the marks can be controlled. The ablative technique causes little thermal input and improves the accuracy of the scale.
Claims20
A method of producing precision marks for a metrological scale, the method comprising:
- using a laser to form scale marks on a scale substrate, wherein:
- the laser produces a plurality of ultra-short output pulses of a fluence at the scale substrate such that the scale marks are formed by laser ablation, and
- the plurality of ultra-short output pulses have a duration such that the scale marks are formed on the scale substrate by a laser ablation mechanism in which the molten stage is omitted.
A method of producing precision marks for a metrological scale, the method comprising:
- forming one or more scale marks on a scale substrate using one or more laser light pulses,
- wherein the duration of each of the one or more laser light pulses is less than 4 picoseconds.
A method of producing precision marks for a metrological scale, the method comprising:
- forming one or more scale markings on the scale substrate,
- wherein the step of forming the one or more scale markings on the scale substrate comprises the use of one or more laser light pulses, the duration of each of the one or more laser light pulses being less than 4 picoseconds.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.